Socioeconomic Status and Prevalence of Obesity and Diabetes in a Mexican American Community

Socioeconomic status among minorities  plays a role in obesity and likeliness of diabetes. Although the United States had strong health care, this did not hold true for minorities. In recent years the influx of immigrants from Hispanics has increased which also increased diseases from the other countries. In 2004 the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC) was established.

The Cohort did this study where they randomly chose the 2,000 participants ages 35- 64 from the border city Brownsville. These participants were all Hispanic and  came from a lower socioeconomic status. In the study they gathered blood samples, weight, body mass index, and waist index from the participants. Prior to this, participants were asked to fast for 10 days.

In the image we see the different age groups and their socioeconomic status (SES). Those from age 35-44 had an average annual income of 17,800 or less and also a smaller percentage of participants with diabetes. 

Those from age 45-54 had a higher income of 21,000 - 31,000 and also an increased percentage of people with diabetes. Those participants with age 55-64 had the highest percent of participants with diabetes. Given that most of all participants were in the lower SES level, less than one fourth of the participants reported to having private health insurance. Ultimately age and SES from incoming immigrants played a big role in obesity and diabetes.This makes sense since five out of the top ten most obese cities come from Texas (a bordering state).



AR, S. J., Pérez, A., Brown, H. S., & Reininger, B. M. Socioeconomic Status and Prevalence of Obesity and Diabetes in a Mexican American Community, Cameron County, Texas, 2004-2007.